Odisha forester found hanging in quarters, family levels serious allegation against DFO

In a major twist to the death of forester Sanjay Nayak, whose body was found hanging at his official quarters at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi on Wednesday, the wife of the deceased levelled serious allegation against Divisional Forest Officer (DFO).

Priyanka Subudhi, the wife of the deceased, alleged that the DFO mentally tortured Nayak for percentage commission from various projects of the department under the region. Unable to bear the pressure, Nayak took the extreme step, she alleged.

“My husband has committed suicide for the DFO. My husband would give Rs 20,000-30,000 to the DFO every month and I am aware of it. He had been alleging that the DFO was torturing him. I demand justice,” Subudhi said.

Meanwhile, Rabi Narayan, the brother of the deceased, has lodged a complaint in this regard at the Town police station.

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As per the complaint registered by Rabi Narayan, Nayak was posted at the Jaring research centre for the last four years and he was continuously pressurised for percentage commission (PC) by the DFO.

"The DFO had demanded Rs 7 lakh PC last year. Nayak gave Rs 2.5 lakh pc this year. The DFO had also demanded an air conditioner from him," Rabi Narayan alleged adding that, the DFO used to threaten Nayak to terminate him from the job.

Unable to bear the harassment, Nayak committed suicide, the family members alleged.

“After getting the information, we reached Bhawanipatna. We also informed his family. After autopsy, his body has been handed over to his family,” said Tapas Kumar Behera, ACF, Rayagada.

However, no comments from the concerned DFO could be obtained on the matter.

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